Apple will inspect working conditions in China

February 15, 2012 4:58:17 PM PST

SAN FRANCISCO --

Apple has launched inspections to check out the working conditions at several factories across China that produce its products.

This comes after an independent watchdog group, The Fair Labor Association, started auditing conditions at plants in China that make most of Apple's products, including iPhones and iPads. Cupertino-based Apple has faced criticism, since audits uncovered poor working conditions at the Foxconn plant in Shenzen, China.

"Apple takes working conditions very, very seriously -- and we have for a very long time. Whether workers are in Europe, or Asia, or the United States, we care about every worker," said Apple CEO Tim Cook.

Cook also pledged that Apple is determined to improve working conditions at the plants where it outsources manufacturing.